U.S. patent number 10,576,525 [Application Number 15/817,328] was granted by the patent office on 2020-03-03 for eight sided forged ferrule staking crimped fitting and method of manufacture thereof.
This patent grant is currently assigned to ContiTech USA, Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is ContiTech USA, Inc.. Invention is credited to Craig Boche, Jeremy Jay Lidgett.
![](/patent/grant/10576525/US10576525-20200303-D00000.png)
![](/patent/grant/10576525/US10576525-20200303-D00001.png)
![](/patent/grant/10576525/US10576525-20200303-D00002.png)
United States Patent |
10,576,525 |
Lidgett , et al. |
March 3, 2020 |
Eight sided forged ferrule staking crimped fitting and method of
manufacture thereof
Abstract
Methods of making hose fittings include providing a stem having
a fluid conduit, a first end, a second end with a raised shoulder,
and a crimp region disposed between the first end and the second
end. A swivel tube nut is placed over the stem, and the swivel tube
nut is retained on the stem the by the raised shoulder. A ferrule
is thereafter placed over the first end of the stem, and the
ferrule comprises a partially or fully formed octagonal wrench
surface, formed prior to. The ferrule is then crimped, at the
octagonal wrench surface, onto the crimp region of the stem.
Inventors: |
Lidgett; Jeremy Jay (Norfolk,
NE), Boche; Craig (Norfolk, NE) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ContiTech USA, Inc. |
Fairlawn |
OH |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
ContiTech USA, Inc. (Fairlawn,
OH)
|
Family
ID: |
64362374 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/817,328 |
Filed: |
November 20, 2017 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20190151927 A1 |
May 23, 2019 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L
33/22 (20130101); F16L 33/30 (20130101); B21D
39/048 (20130101); F16L 19/025 (20130101); F16L
33/2076 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B21D
39/04 (20060101); F16L 19/025 (20060101); F16L
33/207 (20060101); F16L 33/22 (20060101); F16L
33/30 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;285/256 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
European Search Report dated Mar. 27, 2019 of European application
18206909.6 claiming priority this application. cited by
applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Bochna; David
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Cate; David Adams; Gregory
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of making a hose fitting, comprising: providing a stem
comprising a fluid conduit there through, a first end, a second end
with a raised shoulder, and a crimp region disposed between the
first end and the second end; providing and placing a swivel tube
nut over the stem, wherein the swivel tube nut is retained on the
stem the by the raised shoulder; placing a ferrule over the first
end of the stem, wherein the ferrule comprises a partially or fully
formed octagonal wrench surface which is forged into the ferrule
prior to placing the ferrule over the first end of the stem; and,
crimping the ferrule at the octagonal wrench surface onto the crimp
region of the stem; wherein the crimping is conducted using a crimp
die tool, and wherein the crimp die tool includes at least two die
pieces engaging the octagonal wrench surface of the ferrule.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the crimp die tool
includes at least four die pieces engaging the octagonal wrench
surface of the ferrule.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the crimp die tool
includes at least eight die pieces engaging the octagonal wrench
surface of the ferrule.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the crimp region
comprises one or more of knurls and raised grooves for mating with
the ferrule.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the hose fitting
consists of the swivel tube nut, the ferrule and the stem.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the swivel tube nut is
securely connected to the stem in a process which is devoid of
braising.
7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the stem is formed from
one solid piece of metallic material.
8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the stem comprises
barbs for sealingly engaging an inner diameter of a hose.
9. The method according to claim 1 further comprising sealingly
securing a hose to the ferrule and the stem.
10. The method according to claim 9 further comprising sealingly
securing a separate apparatus to the swivel tube nut.
Description
FIELD
The present disclosure relates generally to hydraulic hose
fittings, and methods making such, and more particularly to an
octagonal shape on an outer portion of a ferrule of a fitting.
BACKGROUND
This section provides background information to facilitate a better
understanding of the various aspects of the disclosure. It should
be understood that the statements in this section of this document
are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior
art.
Hose fittings are used to connect a fluid line or hose to various
types of industrial equipment and machinery via the equipment
connection ports or manifolds. A hose fitting typically has two
ends: one end generally defines the hose connection end and the
other end generally defines the equipment connection end. In one
type of hose fitting, a stem is provided having a first end, the
equipment connection end, and a second end, the hose connection
end, wherein the second end includes a shell placed over the stem.
The first end of the stem may be threaded or may include a nut
placed thereon for engaging the equipment. The external surface of
the second end of the stem typically engages the internal surface
of a hose, while the internal surface of the shell engages the
external surface of the hose.
During the manufacture of such hose fittings, a wrenching surface,
such as a hexagonal surface, is generally provided on the outer
portion of the shell. A wrench, or other suitable tool, may be used
to engage the wrenching surface while securing the equipment
connection end of the fluid coupling to the equipment. This
maintains stability of the hose connection end and prevents damage
to the hose and/or its connection to the coupling by a resulting
tendency to twist during the securing procedure. The hexagonal
surface is generally provided at a different horizontal location of
the fluid coupling than the horizontal location of a joined portion
of the stem and the shell. Common methods of joining the coupling
pieces include crimping, staking, swaging, etc.
Some hydraulic hose fittings require two hexes on the fitting. One
hexagonal is on a swivel nut and the second hexagonal is solid and
formed the stem. When the fitting is attached to a manifold, one
wrench rotates the swivel nut and a second wrench prevents the stem
from rotating. The inner diameter of the swivel nut is smaller than
the hexagonal size on the stem. There are two common designs for
this type of fitting. In the first design, the stationary hexagonal
on the stem is created by machining hexagonal bar stock or forging
the hexagonal into the stem. The connection end of the fitting is
left as an open tube. A tube nut slides over the open end of the
tube and a larger outer diameter part is brazed onto the end of the
tube to retain the swivel nut. In the second design, the stem is
machined out of hexagonal bar stock or forged with a hexagonal on
the stem. The shoulder that retains the swivel nut is machined
solid onto the stem so no brazing is required. The swivel nut is
then crimped over the shoulder on the stem so it is retained by the
shoulder. Furthermore, hexagonal wrench flats have limited flats
for engaging a wrench.
Brazing two stem sections together requires an additional process
step which increases cost and creates a potential leak at the
brazed connection. Crimping the swivel nut onto the stem requires
an additional process step which increases cost and the crimped nut
has lower max torque values compared to tube nut designs.
Thus, there is an ongoing need for improved hose fittings, and
methods of manufacturing such, with fewer process steps, and
increased torque ratings for such fittings, such needs met at least
in part with embodiments according to the following disclosure.
SUMMARY
This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is
not a necessarily a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or
all of its features.
In some aspects of the disclosure, methods of making hose fittings
include providing a stem having a fluid conduit, a first end, a
second end with a raised shoulder, and a crimp region disposed
between the first end and the second end. In some cases, the crimp
region includes knurls and/or raised grooves for mating with a
ferrule. Further, the stem may include barbs for sealingly engaging
an inner diameter of a hose.
A swivel tube nut is then placed over the stem, and the swivel tube
nut is retained on the stem the by the raised shoulder. A ferrule
is thereafter placed over the first end of the stem, and the
ferrule comprises a partially or fully formed octagonal wrench
surface, formed prior to. The ferrule is then crimped, at the
octagonal wrench surface, onto the crimp region of the stem.
In some cases, the crimping is conducted using a crimp die tool.
The crimp die tool may include at least two die pieces engaging the
octagonal wrench surface of the ferrule, or at least four die
pieces engaging the octagonal wrench surface of the ferrule, or
even at least eight die pieces engaging the octagonal wrench
surface of the ferrule.
In some embodiments, the hose fitting consists of the swivel tube
nut, the ferrule and the stem, and the swivel tube nut may be
securely connected to the stem, without using a braising
process.
The method may further include sealingly securing a hose to the
ferrule and the stem, and then sealingly securing a separate
apparatus to the swivel tube nut.
In another aspect of the disclosure, a hose fitting includes a stem
having a fluid conduit there through, a first end, a second end
with a raised shoulder, and a crimp region disposed between the
first end and the second end. A swivel tube nut is disposed over
the stem, and the swivel tube nut is retained on the stem the by
the raised shoulder. A ferrule is disposed over the first end of
the stem, and the ferrule has a partially or fully formed octagonal
wrench surface. The ferrule is crimped at the octagonal wrench
surface onto the crimp region of the stem. In some cases, the crimp
region has one or more of knurls and raised grooves for mating with
the ferrule. The swivel tube nut may be securely connected to the
stem in a process which is devoid of braising. Also, the stem may
be formed from one solid piece of metallic material. In some cases,
the stem includes barbs for sealingly engaging an inner diameter of
a hose.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Certain embodiments of the disclosure will hereafter be described
with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference
numerals denote like elements. It should be understood, however,
that the accompanying figures illustrate the various
implementations described herein and are not meant to limit the
scope of various technologies described herein, and:
FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a hose fitting in a perspective
view, in accordance with the disclosure; and,
FIGS. 2A and 2B depict a stem useful in some fitting embodiments,
in a partial cross-sectional view (FIG. 2A), and a side
cross-sectional view (FIG. 2B), in accordance with the
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The following description of the variations is merely illustrative
in nature and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the
disclosure, its application, or uses. The description is presented
herein solely for the purpose of illustrating the various
embodiments of the disclosure and should not be construed as a
limitation to the scope and applicability of the disclosure. In the
summary of the disclosure and this detailed description, each
numerical value should be read once as modified by the term "about"
(unless already expressly so modified), and then read again as not
so modified unless otherwise indicated in context. Also, in the
summary of the disclosure and this detailed description, it should
be understood that a value range listed or described as being
useful, suitable, or the like, is intended that any and every value
within the range, including the end points, is to be considered as
having been stated. For example, "a range of from 1 to 10" is to be
read as indicating each and every possible number along the
continuum between about 1 and about 10. Thus, even if specific data
points within the range, or even no data points within the range,
are explicitly identified or refer to only a few specific, it is to
be understood that inventors appreciate and understand that any and
all data points within the range are to be considered to have been
specified, and that inventors had possession of the entire range
and all points within the range.
Unless expressly stated to the contrary, "or" refers to an
inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A
or B is satisfied by anyone of the following: A is true (or
present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not
present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or
present).
In addition, use of the "a" or "an" are employed to describe
elements and components of the embodiments herein. This is done
merely for convenience and to give a general sense of concepts
according to the disclosure. This description should be read to
include one or at least one and the singular also includes the
plural unless otherwise stated.
The terminology and phraseology used herein is for descriptive
purposes and should not be construed as limiting in scope. Language
such as "including," "comprising," "having," "containing," or
"involving," and variations thereof, is intended to be broad and
encompass the subject matter listed thereafter, equivalents, and
additional subject matter not recited.
Also, as used herein any references to "one embodiment" or "an
embodiment" means that a particular element, feature, structure, or
characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is
included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase
"in one embodiment" in various places in the specification are not
necessarily referring to the same embodiment.
According to some aspects of the disclosure, a hose fitting
includes a swivel tube nut which is incorporated onto the stem of
the fitting without additional brazing or crimping operations.
Also, the stem is one solid piece of metallic material, which
better avoids potential leaks, which can occur at a brazed or
crimped connection. Using a swivel tube nut in place of a crimp-on
nut, also increases the maximum rated torque value of the swivel
tube nut.
Furthermore, an octagonal wrench surface is forged into the ferrule
portion of the fitting, and thereafter, the ferrule is pre-crimped
onto the stem of the fitting. This is achieved by forging the
octagonal wrench surface shape into the ferrule when it is first
made, and thereafter, aligning crimp dies with the eight wrench
surface flats on the ferrule to crimp the final amount thus fully
staking the ferrule to the stem. Forging the octagonal wrench
surface into the ferrule in a first process, substantially or
completely forms the octagonal shape and requires only a small
amount of crimping is required to attach ferrule to the stem. In
some cases, knurling or grooving the stem in the latch area where
the ferrule engages the stem, may further improve the connection of
the ferrule and the stem, which in turn, may prevent the ferrule
from rotating around the stem when torque is applied to the flats
on the ferrule.
Furthermore, as six sided hexagonal has less wrench flats than an
eight sided design, an eight sided octagonal shape has more axial
locations for the wrench to engage making it easier to install on a
hose or a manifold.
Some aspects of the disclosure also involve the use of smaller,
than typical, swivel tube nuts, as well as stems which may be
machined from smaller round bar stock to reduce the amount of steel
removed during machining.
Now referencing FIG. 1, which illustrates an embodiment of a hose
fitting in a perspective view, in accordance with the disclosure.
Fitting 100 includes at least three basic components, which are
stem 102, swivel tube nut 104, and ferrule 106. Swivel tube nut 104
may move freely around the outside of stem 102 thus allowing a
threaded inner surface of swivel tube nut 104 to engage a threaded
surface of a manifold (not shown), or other apparatus, and be
sealingly secured thereto. Stem 102 includes features which enable
the swivel tube nut 104 to be retained on the stem 102, as well as
forming a sealing connection, as described in greater detail
below.
Ferrule 106 includes octagonal wrench surface 108 which is forged
into ferrule 106 prior to being mated with stem 102. After mounting
swivel tube nut 104 onto stem 102, an end of stem 102 is disposed
through ferrule 106, and extends through opening 110 of ferrule
106. Thereafter, octagonal wrench surface 108 is crimped on a
surface of stem 102 to sealing secure stem 102 with ferrule 106.
Stem 102 may include features on the outer surface, in the
connection region, to further enable a high torque resistant sealed
connection with ferrule 106, as described in greater detail below.
Opening 110 of ferrule 106 is used to accept a hose end (not
shown), which is sealingly connected over stem 102 and within
ferrule 106.
FIGS. 2A and 2B depict one embodiment of a stem, functioning as
stem 102 in FIG. 1, which useful in some fitting embodiments, in a
partial cross-sectional view FIG. 2A, and a side cross-sectional
view FIG. 2B. Stem 202 defines a center axis 204 and fluid conduit
206 there through, for transfer of fluid under pressure. First end
208 of stem 202 sealingly engages an inner diameter of a hose (not
shown), and may include features such as barbs 210 (three shown)
for retaining the hose there. Stem 202 also includes second end 212
with raised shoulder 214 for receiving and retaining a swivel tube
nut, such as swivel tube nut 104 described above. Stem 202 further
includes crimp region 216 disposed between first end 208 and second
end 212 for sealing mating stem 202 with an octagonal wrench end of
a ferrule (such as ferrule 106 described above), upon crimping the
ferrule onto stem 202. In some aspects, crimp region 216 includes
knurls and/or raised grooves 218 for further securing the
connection between stem 202 and the ferrule.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for
purposes of illustration and description. Example embodiments are
provided so that this disclosure will be sufficiently thorough, and
will convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous
specific details are set forth such as examples of specific
components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough
understanding of embodiments of the disclosure, but are not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. It will be
appreciated that it is within the scope of the disclosure that
individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are
generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where
applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected
embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same
may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be
regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such
modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the
disclosure.
Also, in some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known
device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in
detail. Further, it will be readily apparent to those of skill in
the art that in the design, manufacture, and operation of apparatus
to achieve that described in the disclosure, variations in
apparatus design, construction, condition, erosion of components,
and gaps between components may present, for example.
Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to
describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or
sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or
sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be
only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or
section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as
"first," "second," and other numerical terms when used herein do
not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the
context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section
discussed below could be termed a second element, component,
region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of
the example embodiments.
Spatially relative terms, such as "inner," "outer," "beneath,"
"below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be used
herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's
relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in
the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass
different orientations of the device in use or operation in
addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example,
if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as
"below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be
oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the example
term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below.
The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at
other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used
herein interpreted accordingly.
Although a few embodiments of the disclosure have been described in
detail above, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily
appreciate that many modifications are possible without materially
departing from the teachings of this disclosure. Accordingly, such
modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this
disclosure as defined in the claims.
* * * * *